As many of you may or may not know, the Black Student Union will be hosting Black Solidarity Day at SUNY Oswego November 2. For those who do not know what black solidarity is about or its history on this campus. Black Solidarity Day began in 1969 as a day nationally observed by African-American men, women, and most importantly, students.

Black Solidarity Day always begins the Monday before elections take place. Originally, this event brought black people together to discuss their political status and discuss the direction in which their future was going.

The day also focused on the value and goals of education within the black community. It was, and still is, a day of discussion and a time for everyone, no matter what race or level of education, to discuss how we all affect each other's lives. Therefore, this year the Black Student Union will be hosting Black Solidarity Day not only for African American students, but for all students on SUNY Oswego’s diverse campus. We encourage everyone to wear the color black in order to express respect for the foundation of Black Solidarity.

During the day of November 2, along with encouraging every student to wear all black, there will be a silent protest at 12:35 p.m. in the circle near Hart Hall. This protest will demonstrate our determination to continue to discuss the politics and direction of our future within the community. In terms of education, the Black Student Union general meeting at 7 p.m. will be a program titled “Slavery.” This program will not only discuss the enslavement of African-Americans in America during the 1800s, but will also discuss modern slavery endured by all oppressed peoples in American society. This discussion is needed in order for us as students to raise our awareness about issues that still affect our communities today.

It is during our years in college where our awareness must be at its prime because students hold a power like none other in this country. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, two young college students at Meritt College formed one of the greatest revolutionary parties in the United States. These two college youths created the Black Panther Party; an organization that taught people to defend themselves from oppression, raised people’s awareness and most importantly fed people with the free breakfast program. The mission we as college students have is to make sure we let the people eat both physically and mentally. Rick Ross, a hip hop MC states in a track that a “Boss is one who guarantees we gonna eat.” We as students must uphold ourselves as leaders, as a Boss, and make sure that our people do not starve. My hope is that the student body takes on the mantle of black to support this movement and day.